Arum: It's Bradley or Marquez for Pacquiao

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Brandon Rios has been dropped from the list of Manny Pacquiao’s possible opponents in September.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao’s possible opponents have been whittled down to two: Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley.

Pacquiao lost to both boxers in 2012. The Filipino first settled for a controversial decision loss to Bradley last June, before succumbing to a sixth-round knockout defeat to Marquez six months later.

Although Rios gave Mike Alvarado a tough fight, the Top Rank promoter feels the Mexican brawler still lost the bout.

“Rios lost his last fight and is not in consideration as an opponent for Manny,” Arum said in a Boxing Scene report by Ronnie Nathanielsz.

This was contrary, however, to the statements made by Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, who earlier said the defeat didn’t reduce Rios’ chances of battling Pacquiao, since the Mexican engaged Alvarado in a highly entertaining fight.

“I don’t want to comment on that. I’m the one who raises the money,” said Arum on Koncz's statement.